Finished tattoo (serezniy (123RF))
2024 was a landmark year for tattoos in the U.S. Army when Captain Isis Sake, originally from Apia, Samoa, received a waver for her traditional Samoan hand tattoos. Known as “tuālima,” they are hand-poked by a Samoan tattoo artist and symbolize her selfless service.
Sake has both tuālima and traditional Samoan leg tattoos, called “malu.” It was her tuālima, the hand tattoos, that fell outside of regulations in 2022. She sought a waiver, which was approved in 2024.
Read more about this landmark moment and see photos of Sake’s tattoos at militarytimes.com.
The military used to be particularly strict about tattoos. However, in recent years, the service branches have loosened restrictions and increasingly accepted tattoos as a societal norm. If you are an active-duty service member and are considering getting a tattoo, be sure to inform yourself of the rules and regulations. Here is an overview of current military tattoo policies:
All branches
No limit—in number or size—for tattoos on the chest, torso, arms, legs and feet.
One ring tattoo.
Army
One tattoo on the back of the neck, not to exceed two inches in any direction.
One tattoo behind each ear, not to exceed one inch in any direction.
One tattoo on each hand, not to exceed one inch in any direction. No limit to tattoos between fingers that are not visible when hands are closed.
Permanent facial makeup that adheres to grooming standards.
Air Force
One tattoo per hand not exceeding one inch.
A single tattoo on the back of the neck or behind the ear, not exceeding one inch.
Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
Permanent facial makeup that adheres to grooming standards.
Marine Corps
Navy
Any number and size of tattoos on hands.
One tattoo on the neck or behind the ear, not to exceed one inch in any direction.
Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
Sailors with sleeve tattoos can now be assigned to Recruiting Command positions and Recruit Training Command.
Space Force
One tattoo on the back of the neck or behind an ear that does not exceed one inch in any direction.
Cosmetic tattoos to correct medical conditions.
Permanent facial makeup that adheres to grooming standards.
Coast Guard
One inch tattoo behind the ears.
One back of hand tattoo not to exceed 2.5 inches.
All Branches:
Tattoos are prohibited on the head, scalp, tongue or face.
Content must not be indecent, sexist, racist, obscene, extremist, gang-related, overtly sexual, discriminatory, incite violence or represent an organization that does.
Army
No tattoos on the front of the neck, or front of ears.
Air Force
No tattoos above the open collar on the head, neck or face.
Marine Corps:
No tattoos above the seventh vertebrae on the back or above the collarbone on the chest.
No head, neck or hand tattoos.
Crew neck t-shirts are required if a tattoo is visible in a V-neck shirt.
Certain duties still prohibit full sleeve or full leg tattoos due to interaction with and sensitivities to other cultures.
Navy
Tattoos cannot be visible through Whites.
Space Force
No tattoos on the front of the neck, front of ears, or hands beyond the allowed ring tattoos.
Chest or back tattoos cannot be visible through any uniform.
Coast Guard
No visible tattoos above the line of a crew neck t-shirt in the front
No visible tattoos above the line a standard blue tropical shirt in the back.
